Berkshire County Highlights for Families:
February 9th-22nd, 2013

Valentine’s Day is next week and school vacation week is the week after… and we’ve got you covered in Berkshire County! In our list of events below you will find all sorts of fun activities to do with the kids and even some date night options for the parents! If you’re looking for winter vacation camp options for the week of Feb 18-22, 2013 in the Berkshires, check these out:

By special arrangement with Hilltown Families, Shakespeare & Company in Lenox is pleased to offer our readers a rare opportunity to take in a classic Shakespearean performance paired with a guided tour backstage. On Friday, Feb. 15th at 10am, schools and homeschooling families are invited to a performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Tina Packer Playhouse, followed by a backstage guided tour where participants can learn how the process of theatre is crafted in the costume shop, prop studio, and production workshop. Tickets for this package are only $8/person and a Study Guide for educators is available to download before attending. To reserve discounted tickets, contact Alexandra Lincoln, and let her know you are a Hilltown Families reader: 413-637-1199 x131. Shakespeare & Company is located at 70 Kemble Street in Lenox. www.Shakespeare.org.

Hilltown Families and the Berkshire Theatre Group have partnered up to offer a free family 4-pack of tickets to one lucky family to The Popovich Comedy Pet Theater on Tuesday, February 19th at 2pm, at The Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield, MA

Find out about these events and other community events and learning opportunities happening throughout Berkshire County through February 22nd, 2013:

To find out what’s happening throughout the four counties of Western MA, check our comprehensive list of Weekly Suggested Events, published every Thursday! There you will also find our list of ongoing weekday playgroups, storyhours and events both in Berkshire County and throughout the region.

North Berkshire

Sunday, February 17th from 2-4pm – HISTORY: The Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum is having a celebration of her birthday today! Hosted in conjunction with the Adams Historical Society, the event will feature a historical presentation on the Anthony family’s tradition of reform, as well as a musical performance that explores women’s history through folk songs. Best for older students. Birthday cake included! Takes place at the Adams Free Library. (FREE)

Wednesday, February 13th from 10am-12noon – OUTDOOR ADVENTURES: Look for tracks and other signs of wildlife today at Mt. Greylock with the Berkshire Natural Resources Council! The 2-4 mile expedition will take about 2 hours, but is relatively easy. Hikers can see a new beaver lodge, and can wander through some of the many game trails created by the wildlife who call the mountain home. An excellent supplement to studies of local biodiversity and natural resources! 413-499-0596. Gould Road. Adams, MA. (FREE)

Child Care of the Berkshires writes, “Berkshire Youth Mentoring is gearing up for its 1st Bowl-a-Thon on Saturday, February 9th, 1-7pm. (postponed to Saturday, March 2nd), at Mt. Greylock Bowl in North Adams, MA. Save the date and prepare to have fun as we bring back Bowling for Kid’s Sake to the Berkshires. Money raised through this event stays right here in our community. Berkshire Youth Mentoring Program of Child Care of the Berkshires, Inc., builds dynamic mentoring relationships to expand youths’ interests, joys, strengths and possibilities for the future. We are seeking dedicated community members who can volunteer 1-2 hours a week. Contact Alex at 413-663-6593 or alenski@ccberkshire.org for more info.”

Saturday, February 9th from 11am-8pm – MUSEUM ADVENTURE: Visit MASS MoCA today – for free! Along with the usual opportunities to learn about (and make) modern art by visiting the museum’s galleries, there will be special performances, tours, and workshops today, too! Families can learn all about the many works of art housed at MASS MoCA by taking tours which will be held throughout the day. Visitors ages 16 and older can take part in a dance workshop with Batsheva Ensemble (bring water and a towel!). The day ends with a family-friendly psychedelic Latin dance party featuring the sounds of Brooklyn’s Chicha Libre! Tickets to the show cost extra for those over 12. (FREE) – As of Friday (2/8) afternoon, organizers say it’s still on, but please double check before heading out.

Thursday, February 14th from 5:30-8:30pm – MUSEUM ADVENTURES: Spend Valentine’s evening at MASS MoCA – there will be tours, gift-making, romantic games, and couples yoga. End the evening with dinner at Lickety Split! The Kidspace will offer kids’ programming, and parents can drop off kids for their own special Valentine’s evening, including crafts, dinner, and lots of other fun activities. Space limited! ($$)

Saturday, February 9th at 8pm – THEATER: Mill City Productions presents Almost, Maine, a story of love in a fictional small-town community. The residents of the remote town in which the show takes place fall miraculously in and out of love as the Northern Lights sparkle above! Takes place at Mill City Theater in Building 4N of Western Gateway Heritage State Park. ($)

[CANCELLED] Saturday, February 9th at 10am – MUSEUM ADVENTURE: The Clark hosts a special art-making workshop and gallery tour for pre-schoolers and their parents! Dress to get messy – this week’s theme is color and shape. Kids can gain inspiration from some art displayed in the galleries and will be able to use materials to create their own masterpieces. .

Saturday, February 9th at 2pm – FILM: The Clark is screening Lawrence of Arabia as part of the Widecreen Wonders film series! A tale of the Middle East during World War I, the film won seven Oscars! It’s a must-see for any film enthusiast. (FREE)

Thursday, February 21st at 2pm – FILM: Dress as your favorite character from The Wizard of Oz and visit The Clark for an afternoon of singing along to Sing-Along Wizard of Oz, a combination of theater and film remastered for the big screen.

Saturday, February 16th at 10:30am and 1pm – FILM: Images Cinema screens this year’s crop of Oscar-nominated animated shorts – a group of five interesting and funny family-friendly short films. Kids will love the collection, and the films are short enough to hold antsy kids’ attention (though they are recomended for ages 8+). Older students interested in animation and film studies can learn about the art of film by seeing the shorts – designated as the year’s best. ($)

Central Berkshire

Saturday, February 16th at 12noon – OUTDOOR ADVENTURE: Show off your snow-building talents at the Lee Cabin Fever Festival’s Children’s Snow Sculpting Competition! Build, stack, and scrape away until you’ve created a beautiful, icy masterpiece. Takes place on the Town Green. Then, at 1:30pm, participate in (or watch!) the annual Strut Your Stuff Stroll down Main Street, where participants bare their skin in the cold – the event features swimsuit-clad walkers and runners!

Lee Library – 413-243-0385. 100 Main Street

The Lee Library Association invites you to attend the program “Live the Legacy of Abraham Lincoln” by historian Myron Hood on Tuesday, February 12th from 6:30-8pm in the J. Peter Scolforo Gallery at the library. Experience an evening with Honest Abe and learn about our 16th president’s life growing up on the prairie, his presidency and how this self-taught man came to love books. In honor of Lincoln’s 204th birthday on February 12th , birthday cake will be served! Myron Hood lives in Lee and has been a life-long scholar of Abraham Lincoln. This event is free and open to the general public.

Sunday, February 17th from 1-3pm – DANCE: Learn about the roots of (and connections between) American blues music and jazz tap dancing with Robin O’Herin and Stefanie Weber at Spectrum Playhouse! Best for older students, the workshop will include lots of fun music and dancing, and requires no prior experience! Dancers of all abilities are welcome. Part of the Cabin Fever Festival! ($$)

Thursday, February 21st at 6pm – KIDS’ PERFORMANCE:Terry a la Berry comes to the Spectrum Playhouse tonight for a special kids’ show! Part of the Cabin Fever Festival, the performance will be filled with fun, catchy tunes with silly lyrics that kids will love.

Saturday, Feb. 9th from 9-11am – PLAYGROUP: The Montessori School of the Berkshires is hosting a special parent-child playgroup for kids up to age 5. Kids 16 months-3 years and explore and play in the Toddler Room, and kids ages 3-5 can enjoy the Children’s House, where toys, learning materials, and more will be readily available for lots of exciting, educational play. Snack, music, and stories included. Registration requested. 55 Pittsfield Road. (FREE)

[POSTPONED TO MARCH 9th] Saturday, February 9th from 10am-12noon – ANIMAL STUDIES: Families can learn all about bird banding today at Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary! There will be banding demonstrations going on throughout the morning, so feel free to drop in whenever is convenient. There will be demonstrations of proper use of mist nets – used to catch birds for banding – as well as the proper handling of small birds. Before visiting, do a family study of the scientific purpose of bird banding – you’ll appreciate the demonstrations even more! (<$)

Shakespeare & Company — 70 Kemble Street.

By special arrangement with Hilltown Families, Shakespeare & Company in Lenox is pleased to offer our readers a rare opportunity to take in a classic Shakespearean performance paired with a guided tour backstage. On Friday, Feb. 15th at 10am, schools and homeschooling families are invited to a performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Tina Packer Playhouse, followed by a backstage guided tour where participants can learn how the process of theatre is crafted in the costume shop, prop studio, and production workshop. Tickets for this package are only $8/person and a Study Guide for educators is available to download before attending. To reserve discounted tickets, contact Alexandra Lincoln, and let her know you are a Hilltown Families reader: 413-637-1199 x131. Shakespeare & Company is located at 70 Kemble Street in Lenox. www.Shakespeare.org.

Thursday, February 14th at 3pm – FOOD/HISTORY: Hold your pinky high – it’s time for a fancy tea at Ventfort Hall! In honor of Valentine’s Day, the museum is hosting a special tea-tasting event, where visitors can learn about the history of specific tea blends, as well as the origins of teas and recent changes in the tea market. Special emphasis will be placed on the history of the JP Morgan blend, a special tea commissioned by JP Morgan himself – it was his favorite! Best for older students with some background in world history and basic economics, the event will help students learn about world trade, and the changes in food sourcing and sales throughout American history. BYO teacup! Victorian high tea to follow the tasting. ($$)

Saturday, February 16th from 7:30-10:30pm – PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT: Dance the night away at Ventfort Hall! Dancin’ at the Mansion – the museum’s special Valentine’s Day event – will feature several different live bands playing dancing standards all night long. Hors d’ourves will be provided, and there will be a cash bar. Dress elegantly to match the splendor of the location! ($$)

Sunday, February 17th at 3:30pm – MAGIC: Ventfort Hall is hosting magician Jeff Pyzocha this afternoon for an exciting show! Pyzocha has performed all over the country – even on television! – and is the area’s best up-and-coming illusionist. His performance is great for all ages! A kids’ Victorian Tea will follow – including hot chocolate for kids who prefer it to tea.

Tuesday, February 19th at 1pm – PERFORMANCE: The library presents a performance from Brian Gillie with his interactive library program that will get families dancing! Join Brian’s dance safari where you first learn some dance history and what it takes to create a dance. Then help Brian complete a musical phrase or funky dance, sometimes to the monster rhythms from Brian’s newly acclaimed CD, Different Drummer. (FREE)

Wednesday, February 20th from 3:30-4:30pm – LEGOS: The Berkshire Athenaeum invites any school aged LEGO enthusiast to share ideas and creative energy during monthly meetings of the new LEGO Club. This month, the theme will be “Zoo & Farm Animals”. Enjoy an hour of socializing with other LEGO fanatics, listening to music, using your imagination and sharing your ideas with your peers. (FREE)

Berkshire Community College — 1350 West St.

Sunday, February 10th from 11:30am-3pm – DOG SHOW: Pooches of all shapes and sizes strut their stuff today at Berkshire Community College in the 12th annual Not Your Average Dog Show! There are lots of non-traditional categories for pups to compete in, including mystery mutt, best trick, most beautiful eyes, “earresistable” ears, and more. Dog lovers of all ages will love spectating at this event. Takes place at BCC’s Sanderson Field House.

Tuesday, February 19th from 12:15-1:15pm – PERFORMANCE: The Youth Alive step team – made up of Pittsfield area teens – performs today at Berkshire Community College! The group performs steps and dances with military-like precision and lots of enthusiasm! Takes place in Room 111 of the Koussevitsky Arts Center. 413-236-4576. (FREE)

[POSTPONED] Saturday, February 9th from 10-11am – HISTORY: The Berkshire Museum presents, “Envisioning Emancipation: Black Americans and the End of Slavery,” the second in a two-part lecture series featuring author Barbara Krauthamer. The presentation will use historic images (including the Massachusetts 54th Regiment, Sojourner Truth, abolitionist conventions, and more) to examine what the freedom granted by the Emancipation Proclamation really looked like in the years just after its implementation. Older students can pair the event with studies of American history and civil rights – gaining a critical understanding of the implications of the historic proclamation can help students better understand the roots of race-related conflicts and inequalities. (FREE with museum admission)

[MOVED TO 2pm] Saturday, February 9th from 11am-12noon – MUSEUM ADVENTURE: Visit the Berkshire Museum to learn all about bats! This special program accompanies the museum’s new exhibit, “Bats: Out of the Cave and Into the Night,” and includes opportunities for families to try out Bat-Bot, and to try out a mock extinction activity. Takes place on the second Saturday of each month, through May. (FREE with museum admission)

Tuesday, February 12th from 10am-5pm – SCIENCE: Students from Pittsfield High School and Taconic High School present their projects for the Science and Innovation Fair at the Berkshire Museum today! Approximately 170 students have participated in preparation for the event, and 80 collaborative projects will be displayed. Visitors can learn about the projects and ask questions about the young scientists’ methods and processes, and will also get free admission to see the museum’s exhibits. Students can be inspired by the projects that they see, and the high schoolers can serve as role models for independent work and scientific inquiry. (FREE)

Thursday, February 14th – Saturday, February 23rd from 11am-3pm (12noon on 2/17) – CREATIVE FREE PLAY: The Berkshire Museum and Pop-up Adventure Play offer families a special opportunity for creative free-play throughout (and just before) school vacation week! WeeMuse: 10 Days of Play brings a roomful (literally!) of materials to build anything a child’s heart desires – cardboard boxes abound, along with necessary items like scissors and duct tape. Families can build castles, mazes, space ships, and other fantastic creations together, allowing kids to exercise their creativity, take part in non-commercialized educational play, and work on skills for cooperation and collaboration. Kids can play at the museum multiple times, too- every day brings a new adventure. (FREE with museum admission)

Monday, February 18 through Saturday, February 23 at 11am – CHILDREN’S PERFORMANCE: Berkshire Theater Group presents Pinocchio at the Berkshire Museum! There will be performances every morning throughout the week, allowing families lots of opportunities to see a theatrical version of the classic children’s story. ($)

Tuesday, February 19th at 1pm – ANIMAL ADVENTURE: Meet a wolf up close and personal at the Berkshire Museum! The Wolf Conservation Center brings their 10-year-old Arctic Gray Wolf, Atka, to the museum for visitors to greet and learn about. ($)

Tuesday, February 19th at7pm – PECHA KUCHA: The Berkshire Museum is hosting a 5th night of Pecha Kucha presentations! Known globally as 20×20, the presentations are just over 6.5 minutes each and include 20 slides that progress automatically after 20 seconds each. Presenters at this event will be sharing information on community organizations, movements, and individual ideas that are geared towards changing the world! Best for parents and teens, the presentations will share important, empowering, and uplifting ideas and information. (<$)

Hilltown Families and the Berkshire Theatre Group have partnered up to offer a free family 4-pack of tickets to one lucky family to The Popovich Comedy Pet Theater on Tuesday, February 19th at 2pm, at The Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield, MA

Tuesday, February 19th at 2pm - FAMILY PERFORMANCE: The Popovich Comedy Pet Theater comes to the Colonial Theater! Made up entirely of rescued animals, the group performs a wide array of circus tricks, accompanied by human clowns and jugglers. The animals are all found in shelters, and have been incredibly well trained (and well loved!) in order to prepare for the performances – families will love the animals’ tricks! 413-298-5536. ($$)

St. Stephen’s Church - 413-212-8589. 67 East Street.

Saturday, February 16th from 1-5pm – COMMUNITY RESILIENCE: The Pittsfield Resilience Circle is hosting a Repair Cafe today – bring things that you need fixed and leave with them working like new, for free! Volunteer repair-people will help to fix everything from lamps to knives, radios to chairs – small items of all sorts (except TV’s, watches, or CRT monitors) can be brought to the event for some TLC. Fix what you’ve got instead of buying something new! Takes place in the basement of St. Stephen’s Church. (FREE)

Friday, February 22nd from 10-11am - CULTURAL STUDIES: Visit Treehouse for some old fashioned Shaker song and dance! Families can learn some traditional Shaker music, lyrics, and movements, and can see the exhibition of photographs of Shaker life on display in the store as part of the 10×10 festival. (FREE)

[RESCHEDULED TO SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16th] Saturday, February 9th from 1-4pm – MUSEUM ADVENTURE: The Norman Rockwell Museum’s newest exhibit is filled exclusively with locally made art – and it’s all from high school-aged artists! The annual Berkshire County High School Art Show is returning for its 27th year at the museum, and features work from local students in a variety of media, including paint, sculpture, and drawing. Families can meet the artists whose work is being shown, and budding artists are invited to a lecture by James Warhol (nephew of pop artist Andy Warhol).

Saturday, February 16th from 1-4pm – COMICS: The Norman Rockwell Museum hosts Careers in Comics, a workshop with comic artist Daniel Cooney! Cooney will share information on how to develop the skills necessary to become a comic artist, and the process of writing, illustrating, and publishing comics. Pre-registration required. ($$)

Thursday, February 14th at 5:30pm – LIBRARY APPRECIATION: Give your library the greatest Valentine of all – some new books! Families can choose books to donate to the Stockbridge Library – in exchange, name plates will be created to honor each patron’s donation. Families can choose from books of all genres and reading levels. Choose some family favorites to make sure that other families can enjoy them, too! There will be holiday treats and crafts for kids. (FREE)

February 16th-24th – POTTERY: Elaine Hoffman opens up her studio, welcoming all ages to decorate blank pieces of pottery like plates of different sizes/bowls/mugs/tiles, using underglazes of varying colors.

South Berkshire

Saturday, February 9th at 3pm – VALENTINES: Make your own unique valentines this afternoon at the Berkshire Co-Op! Kids can use a variety of found objects to create collage-style cards, and can even make their own hidden messages using a special scratch-off paint! (FREE)

Monday, February 18th at 10am – COOKING: Learn to make some simple treats for a tea party at the Berkshire Co-op! This special event is just for kids – they’ll learn to make blood orange curd, a delicious spread best enjoyed on top of scones (some of which will be provided) and with tea! Registration required. (FREE)

Monday, February 18th – Friday, February 22nd at BSRCC: Action Adventures all week with full & half day options, structured activities, free play, educational activities, swimming… even live music!

Three Mile Hill

Saturday, February 16th from 9:30am-12:30pm – OUTDOOR ADVENTURE: Snowshoe your way up and around Threemile Hillwith the Berkshire Natural Resources Council! If there isn’t much snow, the event will be a regular hike instead – either way, enjoy the beautiful winter landscape and search for winter wildlife. Hike up and shuttle back, or do the entire round-trip adventure (3 miles total). BYO snowshoes. Registration requested. 413-528-2810. (FREE)

Matrushka Toys & Gifts — 413-528-4015. 309 Main Street.

Saturday, February 16th at 10:30 and 11:30am – MARIONETTES: The Great Barrington Rudolf Steiner School’s marionettes will be at Matrushka Toys and Gifts this morning, performing two shows just for kids! The beautiful handmade puppets will share a special story, best appreciated by preschool age children – but the marionettes are interesting enough to be loved by all children. (FREE)

NEW MARLBOROUGH

Flying Cloud Institute

Thursday, February 14th:REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Send students off for a full day of wintry science at the Flying Cloud Institute! On Thursday, February 21st from 9am-3pm, the institute hosts Winter Science Day – kids will learn about everything from why the roads are salted in a storm to what tracks they might be most likely to find in their own backyard. Open to grades 2-6 – back lunch, and bring clothes for spending time outside! 413-229-3321. ($$)

Steepletop — Route 57

Saturday, February 9th from 2-4pm – OUTDOOR ADVENTURE: The Berkshire Natural Resources Council is hosting an animal tracking expedition at Steepletop! Explore the area – abundant with signs of wildlife – on foot or by snowshoe, if you like! Participants will learn to tell the difference between cat and dog tracks, and will learn the best places to find tracks and other signs of animals. Meet at the Old Inn on the Green to carpool. 413-499-0596. Route 57. (FREE)

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Welcome to Hilltown Families, an online grassroots communication network for families living throughout the four counties of western Massachusetts. Hilltown Families believes in creating resilient and sustainable communities by developing and strengthening a sense of place in our children and citizens through community based education and engagement. We work to accomplish this by highlighting the embedded learning that is found everywhere in our communities, making the information accessible to families, and giving parents/educators access to opportunities that supports their children’s interests and education while encouraging community engagement.

Hilltown Families was founded in 2005 by Sienna Wildfield and is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

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